Oxidant resistant apolipoprotein A-1 and mimetic peptides

ABSTRACT

A method of ameliorating one or more symptoms of an inflammatory condition in a subject comprises the step of administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide that is capable promoting cholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells, the polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, in which each X in SEQ ID NO:1 is a phenylalanine amino acid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This divisional application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §120, ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/396,098, filed Feb. 14, 2012, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,536,117 issued on Sep. 17,2013, which is a divisionalapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/256,822, filed Oct.23, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,143,224 issued on Mar. 27, 2012, whichclaims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119, of U.S. provisional patentapplication 60/981,887, filed Oct. 23, 2007, each of the aboveapplications being incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY

This application incorporates by reference in its entirety the sequencelisting entitled “221877-345210_Sequence_Listing_ST25.txt,” (34 KB)which was created on Aug. 14, 2013, and filed electronically herewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Circulating cholesterol is carried by plasma lipoproteins. Lipoproteinsare particles of lipid and protein that transport lipids in the blood.Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) arethe major cholesterol carriers. LDL is believed to be responsible forthe delivery of cholesterol from the liver to extrahepatic tissues inthe body.

The term “reverse cholesterol transport” (RCT) describes the transportof cholesterol from extrahepatic tissues to the liver where it iscatabolized and eliminated. It is believed that plasma HDL particlesplay a major role in the reverse transport process, acting as scavengersof tissue cholesterol. RCT consists mainly of three steps: (a)cholesterol efflux, the initial removal of cholesterol from variouspools of peripheral cells; (b) cholesterol esterification by the actionof lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), preventing a re-entry ofeffluxed cholesterol into cells; and (c) uptake/delivery of HDLcholesteryl ester to liver cells.

High levels of HDL and apolipoprotien A-1 (ApoA1), the major HDLprotein, have long been associated with decreased risk forcardiovascular disease. ApoA1 is a single polypeptide chain with 243amino acid residues of known primary amino acid sequence (Brewer et al.,(1978) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 80: 623-630). ApoA1 acts as anacceptor of cellular cholesterol in the reverse cholesterol transport bymediating cholesterol efflux from cells.

Each HDL particle contains at least one copy (and usually two to fourcopies) of ApoA1. ApoA1 is synthesized in humans in the form of apreproapolipoprotein of 267 residues by the liver and small intestinewhich is secreted as a proprotein that is rapidly cleaved by the actionof a calcium-dependent protease to generate a mature 243 amino acidpolypeptide and secreted into the plasma. Apo A1 has been postulated topossess eight tandem repeating 22 mer sequences and two 11 mersequences, most of which have the potential to form class A amphipathichelical structures (Segrest et al. (1974) FEBS Lett. 38: :247-253).Characteristics of the class A amphipathic helix include the presence ofpositively charged residues at the polar-nonpolar interface andnegatively charged residues at the center of the polar face (Segrest etal. (1974) FEBS Lett. 38: 247-253; Segrest et al. (1990) Proteins:Structure, Function, and Genetics 8: 103-117).

ApoA1 forms three types of stable complexes with lipids: small,lipid-poor complexes referred to as pre-beta-1 HDL; flattened discoidalparticles containing polar lipids (phospholipid and cholesterol)referred to as pre-beta-2 HDL; and spherical particles containing bothpolar and nonpolar lipids, referred to as spherical or mature HDL (HDL₃and HDL₂). Most HDL in the circulating population contain both ApoA1 andApoAII (the second major HDL protein) and are referred to as theA1/AII-HDL fraction of HDL. However, the fraction of HDL containing onlyApoA1 (referred to herein as the A1-HDL fraction) appear to be moreeffective in RCT. Certain epidemiologic studies support the hypothesisthat the A1-HDL fraction is anti-atherogenic. (Parra et al., 1992,Arterioscler. Thromb. 12:701-707; Decossin et al., 1997, Eur. J. Clin.Invest. 27:299-307).

The evidence linking elevated serum cholesterol to coronary heartdisease is overwhelming. For example, atherosclerosis is a slowlyprogressive disease characterized by the accumulation of cholesterolwithin the arterial wall. Compelling evidence supports the concept thatlipids deposited in atherosclerotic lesions are derived primarily fromplasma LDL; thus, LDLs have popularly become known as “bad cholesterol”.In contrast, HDL serum levels correlate inversely with coronary heartdisease, and as such are regarded as a negative risk factor. It ishypothesized that high levels of plasma HDL are not only protectiveagainst coronary artery disease, but may actually induce regression ofatherosclerotic plaques (e.g. Badimon et al., 1992, Circulation86(Suppl. III):86-94). Thus, HDL has popularly become known as the “goodcholesterol”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new ApoA1 mimetic that is capable ofpromoting cholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells. The new ApoA1mimetic has an amino acid sequence that is substantially similar to atleast a portion of the amino acid sequence of native ApoA1 or a priormimetic of the ApoA1 that contains at least one tryptophan and iscapable of promoting cholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells. The newApoA1 mimetic, unlike native ApoA1 or prior mimetics of ApoA1, has atleast one tryptophan in the amino acid sequence substituted with anoxidant resistant amino acid. The new ApoA1 mimetic can include an aminoacid sequence of, for example, a tryptophan containing ApoA1 fragment,native ApoA1, ApoA1 fusion protein, ApoA1 chimeric protein, a truncatedApoA1 protein, or a prior mimetic of an ApoA1 polypeptide, wherein atleast one tryptophan in the amino acid sequence of the new ApoA1 mimeticis substituted with an oxidant resistant amino acid.

The present invention also relates to a method of treatingcardiovascular disorders by administering to a subject a pharmaceuticalformulation comprising a new ApoA1 mimetic that is capable of promotingcholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells. The new ApoA1 mimeticincludes at least a portion of the amino acid sequence of ApoA1 or aprior mimetic of the ApoA1 that contains at least one tryptophan and iscapable of promoting cholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells. Atleast one tryptophan in the amino acid sequence of the prior new ApoA1mimetic is substituted with an oxidant resistant amino acid. The newApoA1 mimetic can include an amino acid sequence of, for example, atryptophan containing ApoA1 fragment, native ApoA1, ApoA1 fusionprotein, ApoA1 chimeric protein, a truncated ApoA1 protein, or a mimeticof an ApoA1 polypeptide, wherein at least one tryptophan in the aminoacid sequence of the new ApoA1 mimetic is substituted with an oxidantresistant amino acid.

The present invention further relates to a method of promotingcholesterol efflux from a lipid loaded cell. The method includesadministering to the lipid loaded cell a biologically effective amountof a purified polypeptide. The polypeptide can include an amino acidsequence comprising a cholesterol efflux acceptor portion of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of tryptophan orphenylalanine and at least one X is phenylalanine.

The present invention still further relates to a method of amelioratingone or more symptoms of an inflammatory condition in a subject. Themethod include administering to the subject a new ApoA1 mimetic that iscapable of promoting cholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells. The newApoA1 mimetic includes at least a portion of the amino acid sequence ofApoA1 or a prior mimetic of the ApoA1 that contains at least onetryptophan and is capable of promoting cholesterol efflux from lipidloaded cells. At least one tryptophan in the amino acid sequence of thenew ApoA1 mimetic is substituted with an oxidant resistant amino acid.The new ApoA1 mimetic can include an amino acid sequence of, forexample, a tryptophan containing ApoA1 fragment, native ApoA1, ApoA1fusion protein, ApoA1 chimeric protein, a truncated ApoA1 protein, or amimetic of an ApoA1 polypeptide, wherein at least one tryptophan in theamino acid sequence of the new ApoA1 mimetic is substituted with anoxidant resistant amino acid.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of mitigating MPOoxidant loss of cholesterol efflux acceptor function of ApoA1, afragment thereof, or a mimetic thereof that contain at least onetryptophan residue. The method includes substituting at least onetryptophan residue of the ApoA1, fragment thereof, or mimetic of ApoA1with an oxidant resistant amino acid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the presentinvention relates upon reading the following description with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 (A-F) illustrate tandem mass spectrometry of proteinmodifications of ApoA1 isolated from human atheroma tissue. Collisioninduced dissociation spectra were acquired after direct or in geltryptic digest of imunnoaffinity purified ApoA1 derived from humanatheroma. Doubly charged ions were detected and fragmented in anLC-tandem mass spectrometry experiment. A. Peptide D1-R10 (SEQ ID NO:70)containing monohydroxytryptophan at residue 8. B. Peptide L46-K59 (SEQID NO:71) containing monohydroxytryptophan at residue 50. C. PeptideE62-K77 containing monohydroxytryptophan at residue 72 (SEQ ID NO:72).D. Peptide W108-R116 (SEQ ID NO:73) containing monohydroxytryptophan atresidue 108 and methionine sulfoxide at residue 112. E. The same peptideas in D, but the tryptophan at residue 108 is converted todihydroxytryptophan (SEQ ID NO:74). F. Peptide L₄₁-R49 (SEQ ID NO:75)containing methionine sulfoxide as at residue 48.

FIG. 2 illustrates a graph of lysine modification on ApoA1 isolated fromhuman plasma and human atheroma tissue. ApoA1 was isolated byimmunoaffinity chromatography from the plasma of six healthy subjectsand from six atheroma samples. 2-aminoadipic acid levels, an end productof lysine modification, were quantified by mass spectrometry after acidhydrolysis, and normalized to ApoA1 lysine content. Data show mean ofduplicate determinations for each sample (p=0.005 by two tailed t-test)

FIG. 3 illustrates plots that show protection of lysine residues byreductive methylation does not protect it from inactivation by thecomplete MPO/H₂O₂/Cl⁻ system. ApoA1 (filled circles, solid line) andreductively methylated ApoA1 (open circles, dashed line) were subjectedto modification by MPO at varying H₂O₂: ApoA1 mole ratios. Theseproteins were then assayed for ABCA1 dependent cellular cholesterolacceptor activity during a 4 hr incubation at 5 μg/ml with cholesterollabeled RAW264.7 cells, which had been treated with 0.3 mM 8Br-cAMP toinduce ABCA1. Data are means±S.D. of triplicate determinations, when nobars appear, the S.D. is within the symbol.

FIGS. 4 (A-B) illustrate a graph (A) and plot (B) that show methionineto valine substituted ApoA1 has increased susceptibility to MPO mediatedloss of function. A. High dose MPO modification, at an H₂O₂:ApoA1 moleratio of 15:1, was performed on recombinant human ApoA1 (rh-ApoA1),rh-ApoA1 3MV (3 internal Met substituted with Val), and rh-ApoA1 3MVtreated with formic acid (rh-ApoA1 3MV F.A.), which deletes theinitiation Met and 6-His tag from the recombinant protein. Cellularcholesterol efflux activity was determined as described in FIG. 1. Dataare mean±S.D. of duplicate determinations. B. rh-ApoA1 (filled circles,solid line) and rh-ApoA1 3MV (open circles, dashed line) were subjectedto modification by MPO at varying H₂O₂: ApoA1 mole ratios. Theseproteins were then assayed for ABCA1 dependent cellular cholesterolacceptor activity as described in FIG. 3. Data are means±S.D. oftriplicate determinations. *, p<0.01 vs. rh-ApoA1 3MV at the same H₂O₂:ApoA1 mole ratio, by two tailed t-test.

FIGS. 5 (A-B) illustrate plots showing the effect of tryptophansubstitutions to phenylalanine or leucine on rh-ApoA1 function, and theresistance of the phenylalanine substitution to inactivation by MPO. A.Varying concentrations of rh-ApoA1 (closed circles, solid line),rh-ApoA1 4WF (four tryptophans converted to phenylalanine, open circles,dashed line), and rh-ApoA1 4WL (four tryptophans converted to leucine,open squares, dotted line) were assayed for cellular cholesterolacceptor activity as described in FIG. 3. The 4WF variant largelyretained this activity, while the 4WL variant lost this activity. Dataare means±S.D. of triplicate determinations. B. rh-ApoA1 (filledcircles, solid line) and rh-ApoA1 4WF (open circles, dashed line) weresubjected to modification by MPO at varying H₂O₂: ApoA1 mole ratios.These proteins were then assayed for ABCA1 dependent cellularcholesterol acceptor activity as described in FIG. 3. Data aremeans±S.D. of triplicate determinations. *, p<0.05; and **, p<0.0001 vs.rh-ApoA1 at the same H₂O₂: ApoA1 mole ratio, respectively, by two tailedt-test.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plot showing tryptophan to phenylalaninesubstituted ApoA1 is resistant to HOCl mediated loss of function.rh-ApoA1 (filled circles, solid line) and rh-ApoA1 4WF (open circles,dashed line) were subjected to modification at varying HOCl: ApoA1 moleratios. These proteins were then assayed for ABCA1 dependent cellularcholesterol acceptor activity as described in FIG. 3. Data aremeans±S.D. of triplicate determinations. **, p<0.0001 vs. rh-ApoA1 atthe same HOCl:ApoA1 mole ratio, respectively, by two tailed t-test.

FIGS. 7 (A-B) illustrate plots showing that rh-ApoA1 4WF binds lipid aswell as rh-ApoA1 and its lipid binding activity is resistant to MPOmediated oxidation. A. Dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) emulsions(125 μg) were prepared and incubated without addition (solid thick line)or with the addition of 25 μg rh-ApoA1 (solid thin line) or rh-ApoA1 4WF(dotted line). Lipid binding and solubilization was monitored by loss ofturbidity by reading absorbance at 325 nm over time at 24° C. (n=3 percondition, mean±S.D.) The 4WF variant yielded similar DMPC clearancecompared to wild type rh-ApoA1. B. rh-ApoA1 (filled circles, solid line)and rh-ApoA1 4WF (open circles, dashed line) were subjected tomodification by MPO at varying H₂O₂: ApoA1 mole ratios. These proteinswere then assayed for lipid binding activity by prevention ofphospholipase C dependent LDL aggregation. Data are normalized to thelipid binding activity of rh-ApoA1 treated in the absence of H₂O₂. Dataare means±S.D. of triplicate determinations. *, p<0.05; and **, p<0.001vs. rh-ApoA1 4WF at the same H₂O₂: ApoA1 mole ratio, respectively, bytwo tailed t-test. The data show that the rh-ApoA1 4WF did not loose itslipid binding activity at a dose of MPO modification that diminishedlipid binding activity of wild type rh-ApoA1.

FIG. 8 illustrates an immunoblot showing tryptophan to phenylalaninesubstituted ApoA1 is still susceptible to cross linking by MPO.rh-ApoA1, and rh-ApoA1 4WF were subjected to MPO modification at thefollowing mole ratios of H₂O₂:ApoA1; 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 12.5 (from leftto right). ApoA1 cross linking was qualitatively assessed by Westernblotting. The migration of molecular weight standards is shown on theleft side.

FIG. 9 illustrates a gradient gel showing migration of lipid freerh-ApoA1. A. rHDL was prepared by cholate dialysis using palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC) and wild type or 4WF rh-ApoA1 (100:1molar ratio POPC:apoA1) and run on 4-20% non-denaturing gradientpolyacrylamide gels. Lane 1, size standards with diameters listed toleft; lane 2, 10 μg wild type rh-ApoA1 rHDL; lane 3, 1014 4WF rh-apoA1rHDL. Both ApoA1 variants yielded ˜9.8, 12, and 17 nm discs onnon-denaturing gradient gels. The migration of lipid free rh-ApoA1 isshown by the arrow on the right side.

FIG. 10 illustrates a graph showing cholesterol efflux activity of rHDLpreparations (4 hr. incubation) from [3H]cholesterol labeled RAW264.7cells in the presence (filled bars) or absence (open bars) of ABCA1induction by pretreatment with 0.3 mM 8Br-cAMP. rh-ApoA1 (10 μg/ml)yielded ABCA1 dependent cholesterol acceptor activity; however, both thewild type (WT) and 4WF ApoA1 rHDL preparations (10 μg/mlApoA1) yieldedonly ABCA1 dependent cholesterol acceptor activity. Bars show mean±S.D.(n=3).

FIG. 11 illustrates a graph showing the ABCA1-dependent cholesterolacceptor activity of synthetic peptides with tryptophan substitutions.The parent peptide p18 (Ac-DWFKAFYDKVAEKFKEAF-NH₂) (SEQ ID NO:76) wassynthesized with or without substitution of the tryptophan residue (W)for phenylalanine (p18 WF) or leucine (p18WL). The cholesterol acceptoractivity of the three peptides were measured by 4 hour incubation with[³H]cholesterol labeled RAW264.7 cells that had been pretreated with 0.3mM 8Br-cAMP to induce ABCA1. The concentration of peptide is shown inμg/ml in the column labels. Bars show mean±S.D. (n=3).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA1) polypeptidemimetics that are resistant to oxidation when administered to a subjectand can increase cellular cholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells. By“resistant to oxidation” or “oxidant resistant” as used in thespecification and the claims, it is meant that the ApoA1mimeticpolypeptide can be at least partially resistant to oxidation thatimpairs or reduces ApoA1 polypeptide cholesterol accepting and lipidbinding activities. The oxidation can be potentially associated with orcaused by, for example, oxidation from oxidation pathways including atleast one of myeloperoxidase (MPO), a MPO-generated oxidant, aMPO-generated reactive chlorinating species, a MPO/H₂O₂/Cl⁻ system, aHOCl/OCl⁻, a MPO generated reactive nitrogen species, MPO/H₂O₂/NO₂ ⁻system, nitrogen dioxide, peroxynitrite (ONOO—), peroxycarboxynitrite(ONOOCO2—), and the product formed when ONOO— acts in the presence ofCO₂ (or HCO₃ ⁻ in buffer).

It was found that tryptophan residues of ApoA1 protein are readilyoxidized by, for example, myeloperoxidase (MPO), hypochlorous acid, orpotentially other oxidants. Oxidation of the tryptophan residues ofApoA1 leads to its loss of cholesterol accepting and lipid bindingactivities. Moreover, MPO mediated oxidation of native ApoA1 canpotentially inactivate acceptance of cellular cholesterol as part of thereverse cholesterol transport.

ApoA1 oxidant resistant mimetics (or oxidation resistant mimetics)according to the present invention have an amino acid sequence that issubstantially similar to the amino acid sequence of ApoA1, ApoA1fragments, or known mimetics of ApoA1 that contain at least onetryptophan and where at least one tryptophan residues is substitutedwith oxidant resistant residues, such as an oxidant resistant peptideresidue, and for which ApoA1 lipid binding and efflux activities areretained. In one example, the oxidant resistant residue can include anaromatic peptide residue, such as phenylalanine.

By “mimetics of ApoA1” or “prior mimetics or ApoA1” or “known mimeticsof ApoA1” as used in the specification and in the claims, it is meantmimetics of ApoA1 that can be identified or derived from any referenceand that have ApoA1 behavior. These include mimetics of ApoA1 identifiedin U.S. and foreign patents and publications. The terms “mimetics ofApoA1” or “prior mimetics or ApoA1” or “known mimetics of ApoA1” aredistinguished from the term “ApoA1 mimetics” or “novel ApoA1 mimetics”or “new ApoA1 mimetics” in the specification and claims, which is meantto include the ApoA1 mimetics of the present invention that areresistant to oxidation or oxidant resistant.

The terms “polypeptide”, “peptide” and “protein” are usedinterchangeably herein to refer to a polymer of amino acid residues. Theterms apply to amino acid polymers in which one or more amino acidresidues is an artificial chemical analogue of a corresponding naturallyoccurring amino acid, as well as to naturally occurring amino acidpolymers. “Aromatic Amino Acid” as used herein, refers to a hydrophobicamino acid with a side chain having at least one aromatic orheteroaromatic ring. The aromatic or heteroaromatic ring may contain oneor more substituents such as —OH, —SH, —CN, —F, —Cl, —Br, —I, —NO2, —NO,—NH₂, —NHR, —NRR, —C(O)R, —C(O)OH, —C(O)OR, —C(O)NH₂, —C(O)NHR, —C(O)NRRand the like where each R is independently (C1-C6) alkyl, substituted(C1-C6) alkyl, (C1-C6) alkenyl, substituted (C1-C6) alkenyl, (C1-C6)alkynyl, substituted (C1-C6) alkynyl, (C5-C20) aryl, substituted(C5-C20) aryl, (C6-C26) alkaryl, substituted (C6-C26) alkaryl, 5-20membered heteroaryl, substituted 5-20 membered heteroaryl, 6-26 memberedalkheteroaryl or substituted 6-26 membered alkheteroaryl. Geneticallyencoded aromatic amino acids include phenylalanine (F), tyrosine (Y) andtryptophan (W). In one particular example, the oxidation resistant aminoacid of the present invention can be phenylalanine.

ApoA1 mimetics that are resistant to oxidation are superior in promotingcholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells and can be used astherapeutics for treating, ameliorating, and/or preventing coronaryvascular disorders (e.g., cardiovascular disease), including bothreducing existing plaques and inhibiting developing plaques,atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation, wound healing, andhyperlipidemia. The present invention thus includes methods of treating,preventing, and/or ameliorating coronary vascular disorders, vascularinflammation, wound healing, and/or hyperlipidemia in a subject byadministering to the subject therapeutically effective amount of anApoA1 mimetic in accordance with the present invention.

In an aspect of the invention, the ApoA1 mimetic can include apolypeptide having an amino acid sequence that comprises at least atryptophan containing and cholesterol efflux acceptor portion of nativeApoA1. In one example, the ApoA1 mimetic can have the following aminoacid sequence:

(SEQ ID NO: 1) DEPPQSPXDR VKDLATVYVD VLKDSGRDYV SQFEGSALGK QLNLKLLDNX DSVTSTFSKL REQLGPVTQE FXDNLEKETEGLRQEMSKDL EEVKAKVQPY LDDFQKKXQE EMELYRQKVEPLRAELQEGA RQKLHELQEK LSPLGEEMRD RARAHVDALRTHLAPYSDEL RQRLAARLEA LKENGGARLA EYHAKATEHLSTLSEKAKPA LEDLRQGLLP VLESFKVSFL SALEEYTKKL NTQwherein X is either a tryptophan residue or an oxidant resistant residue(e.g., phenylalanine) and at least one of the four X's is an oxidantresistant residue. In other examples, at least two of the Xs of SEQ IDNO: 1 are an oxidant resistant residue, at least three of the Xs of SEQID NO: 1 are oxidant resistant residues, or all four of the Xs areoxidant resistant residues.

The ApoA1 mimetics, besides including tryptophan substituted wild-typeor native forms of ApoA1, can also include tryptophan substitutednatural variants of ApoA1 that are known in the art. For example,Weisgraber et al. has shown that cysteine can be substituted forarginine at position 173 in a mutant ApoA1 termed ApoA1-Milano(Weisgraber et al. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258: 2508-2513). An ApoA1mimetic based on ApoA1-Milano can therefore include the amino sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 2.

(SEQ ID NO: 2) DEPPQS PXDRVKDLAT VYVDVLKDSG RDYVSQFEGS ALGKQLNLKLLDNXDSVTST FSKLREQLGP VTQEFXDNLE KETEGLRQEMSKDLEEVKAK VQPYLDDFQK KXQEEMELYR QKVEPLRAELQEGARQKLHE LQEKLSPLGE EMRDRARAHV DALRTHLAPY SDELRQC LAA RLEALKENGG ARLAEYHAKA TEHLSTLSEKAKPALEDLRQ GLLPVLESFK VSFLSALEEY TKKLNTQwherein X is a tryptophan or an oxidant resistant residue (e.g.,phenylalanine) and at least one X is substituted for an oxidantresistant residue.

Another example of ApoA1 mimetic according to the present in inventionis based on a known full-length mimetic of human ApoA1 peptidepossessing a cysteine residue at position 151 of the mature ApoA1. TheApoA1 mimetic in accordance with this example can include the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO: 3.

(SEQ ID NO: 3) DEPPQS PXDRVKDLAT VYVDVLKDSG RDYVSQFEGS ALGKQLNLKL LDNXDSVTST FSKLREQLGP VTQEFXDNLE KETEGLRQEMSKDLEEVKAK VQPYLDDFQK KXQEEMELYR QKVEPLRAELQEGARQKLHE LQEKLSPLGE EMRDCARAHV DALRTHLAPYSDELRQRLAA RLEALKENGG ARLAEYHAKA TEHLSTLSEKAKPALEDLRQ GLLPVLESFK VSFLSALEEY TKKLNTQ;wherein X is a tryptophan or an oxidant resistant residue (e.g.,phenylalanine) and at least one X is substituted for an oxidantresistant residue (e.g., phenylalanine).

Accordingly, the ApoA1 polypeptide mimetics contemplated in the presentinvention may include modified polypeptides from the ApoA1 forms andvariants including, for example, apolipoprotein A-1 (Brewer et al.,(1978)), apolipoprotein A-1 Milano (Weisgraber (1983)), apolipoproteinA-1 Marburg, (Utermann et al., (1982)J. Biol. Chem. 257: 501-507),apolipoprotein A-1 Paris (Bielicki and Oda (2002) Biochemistry 41,2089-2096), proapolipoprotein A-1, or any other mutant form of ApoA1known in the art whether synthetically formed or naturally occurring.

Alternatively, the ApoA1 mimetics of the present invention can includean amphipathic helical peptides that closely mimic the class Aamphipathic helix of human or mouse ApoA1 peptide (i.e., mimetics ofApoA1), wherein residues denoted by X can include a tryptophan residueor an oxidant resistant amino acid residue and at least one X is anoxidant resistant residue. The term “an amphipathic helical peptide”refers to a peptide comprising at least one amphipathic helix(amphipathic helical domain). Certain amphipathic helical peptides ofthis invention can comprise two or more (e.g., 3, 4, 5, etc.)amphipathic helices.

The term “class A amphipathic helix” refers to a protein structure thatforms an a-helix producing a segregation of a polar and nonpolar faceswith the positively charged residues residing at the polar-nonpolarinterface and the negatively charged residues residing at the center ofthe polar face (see, e.g., Segrest et al. (1990) Proteins: Structure,Function, and Genetics 8: 103-117). Particularly preferred peptides mayinclude greater than about 50% amino acid sequence identity with thepolypeptide encoded by the exon encoding a class A amphipathic helix ofhuman or mouse ApoA1. The peptide may be combined with apharmacologically acceptable excipient (e.g. an excipient suitable fororal administration to a mammal).

In certain embodiments, the ApoA1 mimetic is a fragment or mimetic ofApoA1, which is capable of promoting cholesterol efflux, and comprisesone or more of the following amino acid sequences:

(SEQ ID NO: 4) D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 5)D-X-F-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 6)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-F-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 7)D-X-F-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-F-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 8)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 9)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-F-F-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 10)D-X-F-K-A-F-Y-D-K-F-F-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 11)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-K-F-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 12)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-K-F-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 13)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-K-L-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 14)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 15)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 16)E-X-L-K-L-F-Y-E-K-V-L-E-K-F-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 17)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-F-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 18)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 19)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-K-F-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 20)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-K-L-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 21)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 22)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 23)D-X-L-K-A-L-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-L-, (SEQ ID NO: 24)D-X-F-K-A-F-Y-E-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 25)D-X-F-K-A-F-Y-E-K-F-F-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 26)E-X-L-K-A-L-Y-E-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-L-, (SEQ ID NO: 27)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-E-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 28)E-X-F-K-A-F-Y-E-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 29)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-E-K-V-F-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 30)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-E-K-F-F-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 31)E-X-F-K-A-F-Y-E-K-F-F-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 32)D-F-L-K-A-X-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-X-, (SEQ ID NO: 33)E-F-L-K-A-X-Y-E-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-X-, (SEQ ID NO: 34)D-F-X-K-A-X-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-X-X-, (SEQ ID NO: 35)E-F-X-K-A-X-Y-E-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-X-X-, (SEQ ID NO: 36)D-K-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-X-A-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 37)D-K-X-K-A-V-Y-D-K-F-A-E-A-F-K-E-F-L-, (SEQ ID NO: 38)E-K-L-K-A-F-Y-E-K-V-F-E-X-A-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 39)E-K-X-K-A-V-Y-E-K-F-A-E-A-F-K-E-F-L-, (SEQ ID NO: 40)D-X-L-K-A-F-V-D-K-F-A-E-K-F-K-E-A-Y-, (SEQ ID NO: 41)E-K-X-K-A-V-Y-E-K-F-A-E-A-F-K-E-F-L-, (SEQ ID NO: 42)D-X-L-K-A-F-V-Y-D-K-V-F-K-L-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 43)E-X-L-K-A-F-V-Y-E-K-V-F-K-L-K-E-F-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 44)D-X-L-R-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 45)E-X-L-R-A-F-Y-E-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 46)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-R-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 47)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-E-R-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 48)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-R-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 49)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-E-K-V-A-E-R-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 50)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-R-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 51)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-E-K-V-A-E-K-L-R-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 52)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-R-V-A-E-R-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 53)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-E-R-V-A-E-R-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 54)D-X-L-R-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-R-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 55)E-X-L-R-A-F-Y-E-K-V-A-E-K-L-R-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 56)D-X-L-R-A-F-Y-D-R-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 57)X-L-R-A-F-Y-E-R-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 58)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-R-L-R-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 59)E-X-L-K-A-F-Y-E-K-V-A-E-R-L-R-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 60)D-X-L-R-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-R-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 61)E-X-L-R-A-F-Y-E-K-V-A-E-R-L-K-E-A-F-, (SEQ ID NO: 62)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-P-D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F (SEQ ID NO: 63)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-F-F-P-D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-F-F (SEQ ID NO: 64)D-X-F-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F-P-D-X-F-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-L-K-E-A-F (SEQ ID NO: 65)D-K-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-X-A-K-E-A-F-P-D-K-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-F-E-X-L-K-E-A-F (SEQ ID NO: 66)D-K-X-K-A-V-Y-D-K-F-A-E-A-F-K-E-F-L-P-D-K-X-K-A-V-Y-D-K-F-A-E-A-F-K-E-F-L (SEQ ID NO: 67)D-X-F-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-F-K-E-A-F-P-D-X-F-K-A-F-Y-D-K-V-A-E-K-F-K-E-A-F (SEQ ID NO: 68)D-X-L-K-A-F-V-Y-D-K-V-F-K-L-K-E-F-F-P-D-X-L-K-A-F-V-Y-D-K-V-F-K-L-K-E-F-F and (SEQ ID NO: 69)D-X-L-K-A-F-Y-D-K-F-A-E-K-F-K-E-F-F-P-D-X-L-K-A-F- Y-D-K-F-A-E-K-F-K-E-F-F;wherein X is a tryptophan or an oxidant resistant residue (e.g.,phenylalanine) and at least one X in each sequence is substituted for anoxidant resistant residue.

The above referenced sequences (SEQ ID NO:4-SEQ ID NO:69) are describedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,862 B2 to Fogelman et al. (hereinafter the '862patent), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The '862patent is directed towards peptides used to ameliorate one or moresymptoms of atherosclerosis. The peptides described in the '862 patentinclude a tryptophan residue at each residue designated herein with anX. The synthetic peptides of the '862 patent were designed to mimic theclass A amphipathic helical motif (Segrest et al. (1990) Proteins:Structure, Function and Genetics 8:103-117)) and are able to associateswith phospholipids and exhibit many biological properties similar tohuman ApoA1.

It is also noted that this list of ApoA1 mimetic peptides is not fullyinclusive. Truncations of the above sequences, multimeric combinations(e.g., ranging from dimers to trimers, tetramers, 5 mers, 8 mers, or 10mers) of the above sequences, conservative substitutions of the abovesequences, and/or the above sequences comprising amino acid analogs arealso contemplated using the teachings provided within.

It will be appreciated that biologically functional equivalents, or evenimprovements, of the ApoA1 mimetic polypeptides, can be made, generallyusing ApoA1 as a starting point. Modifications and changes may be madein the structure of such a protein and still obtain a molecule havinglike or otherwise desirable characteristics. For example, certain aminoacids may be substituted for other amino acids in the protein structurewithout appreciable loss of cholesterol efflux acceptor activity.

It should be contemplated as well that one skilled in the art canfurther modify the ApoA1 amino acid sequences of the present inventionby substitution, deletion or addition of at least one amino acid, andthat these further modifications create biologically functionalequivalents to the oxidant resistant ApoA1 polypeptides. Thesesubstitutions do not substantially inhibit modified ApoA1's ability topromote cholesterol efflux from loaded lipid cells. As used herein,“substantially inhibit” or “inhibition” includes any measurablereproducible reduction in the ability of a modified ApoA1 polypeptide topromote cholesterol efflux from loaded lipid cells.

It is also well understood by the skilled artisan that, inherent in thedefinition of a “biologically functional equivalent” protein orpolypeptide, is the concept that there is a limit to the number ofchanges that may be made within a defined portion of the molecule andstill result in a molecule with an acceptable level of equivalentbiological activity. Biologically functional equivalent proteins andpeptides are thus defined herein as those proteins and peptides in whichcertain, not most or all, of the amino acids may be substituted. Ofcourse, a plurality of distinct proteins/peptides with differentsubstitutions may easily be made and used in accordance with theinvention.

Amino acid substitutions are generally based on the relative similarityof the amino acid side-chain substituents, for example, theirhydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, charge, size, and the like. An analysisof the size, shape and type of the amino acid side-chain substituentsreveals that arginine, lysine and histidine are all positively chargedresidues; that alanine, glycine and serine are all a similar size.Therefore, based upon these considerations, arginine, lysine andhistidine; alanine, glycine and serine are defined herein asbiologically functional equivalents.

Following the procedures noted in the published application by Alton etal. (WO83/04053), one can readily design and manufacture genes codingfor microbial expression of polypeptides having primary conformationswhich differ from that herein specified in terms of the identity orlocation of one or more residues (e.g., substitutions, terminal andintermediate additions and deletions). Alternately, modifications ofcDNA and genomic genes may be readily accomplished by well-knownsite-directed mutagenesis techniques and employed to generate analogsand derivatives of ApoA1. Such products would share at least one of thebiological properties of oxidant resistant modified ApoA1 but may differin others.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the ApoA1mimetic polypeptides can be fragments of full-length human ApoA1peptides. The ApoA1 fragments of the present invention are biologicallyfunctional equivalents to the ApoA1 polypeptides described above in atleast one aspect including but not limited to cholesterol effluxpromotion and ameliorating one or more symptoms of an inflammatorycondition. The ApoA1 fragments can consist of about 5 to about 50 aminoacids and include at least one tryptophan residue, wherein thetryptophan residue is substituted with an oxidant resistant amino acid.

It will be appreciated that as with the ApoA1 mimetic polypeptide,modifications and changes may be made in the structure and aminosequence of the ApoA1 fragments and still obtain a molecule having likeor otherwise desirable functional characteristics. For example, certainamino acids may be substituted for other amino acids in a proteinstructure without appreciable loss of cholesterol efflux promotion.

The ApoA1 mimetic polypeptides of the present invention can also includea protecting group coupled to the amino-terminus and/or thecarboxyl-terminus of the polypeptides. The term “protecting group”refers to a chemical group that, when attached to a functional group inan amino acid (e.g., a side chain, an alpha amino group, an alphacarboxyl group, etc.) blocks or masks the properties of that functionalgroup. Examples of amino-terminal protecting groups include, but are notlimited to acetyl, or amino groups. In such an embodiment, the first oneto four amino acid residues at the N-terminus and/or C-terminus of thepolypeptides described herein can be substituted with one or more aminoacid residues, or one or more peptide segments, that are known to conferstability to regions of α-helical secondary structure (“end-cap” or“protecting groups” residues or segments). Such end-cap residues andsegments are well-known in the art (see, e.g., Richardson andRichardson, 1988, Science 240:1648-1652; Harper et al., 1993,Biochemistry 32(30):7605-7609; Dasgupta and Bell, 1993, Int. J. PeptideProtein Res. 41:499-511; Seale et al., 1994, Protein Science3:1741-1745; Doig et al., 1994, Biochemistry 33:3396-3403; Zhou et al.,1994, Proteins 18:1-7; Doig and Baldwin, 1995, Protein Science4:1325-1336; Odaert et al., 1995, Biochemistry 34:12820-12829; Petrukhovet al., 1996, Biochemistry 35:387-397; Doig et al., 1997, ProteinScience 6:147-155). Alternatively, the first one to four N-terminaland/or C-terminal amino acid residues of the polypeptides describedherein can be replaced with peptidomimetic moieties that mimic thestructure and/or properties of end-cap residues or segments. Examples ofend-cap mimetics are well-known in the art, and are described, forexample, in Richardson and Richardson, 1988, Science 240:1648-1652;Harper et al., 1993, Biochemistry 32(30):7605-7609; Dasgupta and Bell,1993, Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 41:499-511; Seale et al., 1994,Protein Science 3:1741-1745; Doig et al., 1994, Biochemistry33:3396-3403; Zhou et al., 1994, Proteins 18:1-7; Doig and Baldwin,1995, Protein Science 4:1325-1336; Odaert et al., 1995, Biochemistry34:12820-12829; Petrukhov et al., 1996, Biochemistry 35:387-397; Doig etal., 1997, Protein Science 6:147-155).

The ApoA1 mimetic polypeptides of the present invention may be purifiedand isolated. The term “purified and isolated” herein meanssubstantially free of unwanted substances so that the presentpolypeptides of modified ApoA1 mimetics or fragments thereof are usefulfor promoting cholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells. For example,one may have a modified recombinant human ApoA1 mimetic polypeptidesubstantially free of other human proteins or pathological agents. Thesepolypeptides are also characterized by being a product of mammaliancells, or the product of chemical synthetic procedures or of prokaryoticor eukaryotic host expression (e.g., by bacterial, yeast, higher plant,insect and mammalian cells in culture) of exogenous DNA sequencesobtained by genomic or cDNA cloning or by gene synthesis. The productsof expression in typical yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces cerevisiae) orprokaryote (e.g., E. coli) host cells are free of association with anymammalian proteins. The products of expression in vertebrate (e.g.,non-human mammalian (e.g., COS or CHO) and avian) cells are free ofassociation with any human proteins. Depending upon the host employed,and other factors, polypeptides of the invention may be glycosylatedwith mammalian or other eucaryotic carbohydrates or may benon-glycosylated. Polypeptides of the invention may also include aninitial methionine amino acid residue (at position−1 with respect to thefirst amino acid residue of the polypeptide).

The peptides of the invention can be purified by art-known techniquessuch as reverse phase chromatography high performance liquidchromatography, ion exchange chromatography, gel electrophoresis,affinity chromatography and the like. The actual conditions used topurify a particular peptide will depend, in part, on the synthesisstrategy and on factors, such as net charge, hydrophobicity,hydrophilicity, etc., and will be apparent to those having skill in theart. Multimeric branched peptides can be purified, e.g., by ion exchangeor size exclusion chromatography.

For affinity chromatography purification, any antibody whichspecifically binds the peptide may be used. For the production ofantibodies, various host animals, including but not limited to rabbits,mice, rats, etc., may be immunized by injection with a peptide. Thepeptide may be attached to a suitable carrier, such as BSA, by means ofa side chain functional group or linkers attached to a side chainfunctional group. Various adjuvants may be used to increase theimmunological response, depending on the host species, including but notlimited to Freund's (complete and incomplete), mineral gels such asaluminum hydroxide, surface active substances such as lysolecithin,pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpethemocyanin, dinitrophenol, and potentially useful human adjuvants suchas BCG (bacilli Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum.

Monoclonal antibodies to a peptide may be prepared using any techniquewhich provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuouscell lines in culture. These include but are not limited to thehybridoma technique originally described by Kohler and Milstein, 1975,Nature 256:495-497, or Kaprowski, U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,110, which isincorporated by reference herein; the human B-cell hybridoma technique)(Kosbor et al., 1983, Immunology Today 4:72; Cote et al., 1983, Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80:2026-2030); and the EBV-hybridoma technique(Cole et al., 1985, Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R.Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96 (1985)). In addition, techniques developed for theproduction of “chimeric antibodies” (Morrison et al., 1984, Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:6851-6855; Neuberger et al., 1984, Nature312:604-608; Takeda et al., 1985, Nature 314:452-454, Boss, U.S. Pat.No. 4,816,397; Cabilly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; which are incorporatedby reference herein) by splicing the genes from a mouse antibodymolecule of appropriate antigen specificity together with genes from ahuman antibody molecule of appropriate biological activity can be used.Or “humanized” antibodies can be prepared (see, e.g., Queen, U.S. Pat.No. 5,585,089 which is incorporated by reference herein). Alternatively,techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies (U.S.Pat. No. 4,946,778) can be adapted to produce peptide-specific singlechain antibodies.

Antibody fragments that contain deletions of specific binding sites maybe generated by known techniques. For example, such fragments includebut are not limited to F(ab′)₂ fragments, which can be produced bypepsin digestion of the antibody molecule and Fab fragments, which canbe generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab′)₂ fragments.Alternatively, Fab expression libraries may be constructed (Huse et al.,1989, Science 246:1275-1281) to allow rapid and easy identification ofmonoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity for the peptide ofinterest.

The antibody or antibody fragment specific for the desired peptide canbe attached, for example, to agarose, and the antibody-agarose complexis used in immunochromatography to purify peptides of the invention.See, Scopes, 1984, Protein Purification: Principles and Practice,Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., NY, Livingstone, 1974, Methods InEnzymology: Immunoaffinity Chromatography of Proteins 34:723-731.

The present invention also contemplates ApoA1 mimetic polypeptidesincluding a polyhistidine-tag. A polyhistidine-tag is an amino acidmotif in proteins that consists of at least six histidine (His)residues, often at the N- or C-terminus of the protein. It is also knownas hexa histidine-tag, 6×His-tag, and by the trademarked name His-tag®(EMD Biosciences). Polyhistidine-tags can be used for affinitypurification of polyhistidine-tagged recombinant proteins that areexpressed in Escherichia coli or other prokaryotic expression systems.The bacterial cells are harvested by centrifugation and the resultingcell pellet can be lysed by physical means or with detergents orenzymes, such as lysozyme. The raw lysate contains at this stage therecombinant protein among several other proteins derived from thebacteria and are incubated with affinity media such as NTA-agarose, HisPur resin or Talon resin. These affinity media contain bound metal ions,either nickel or cobalt to which the polyhistidine-tag binds withmicromolar affinity. The resin is then washed with phosphate buffer toremove proteins that do not specifically interact with the cobalt ornickel ion. The washing efficiency can be improved by the addition of 20mM imidazole and proteins are then usually eluted with 150-300 mMimidazole, but higher concentrations are used as well. The purity andamount of protein can be assessed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting.

Affinity purification using a polyhistidine-tag usually results inrelatively pure protein when the recombinant protein is expressed in aprokaryotic host organism. In special cases or for special purposes likethe purification of protein complexes to study modified ApoA1polypeptide interactions, purification from higher organisms such asyeast, insect cell or other eukaryotes may require a tandem affinitypurification using two tags to yield higher purity. Alternatively,single-step purification using immobilized cobalt ions rather thannickel ions generally yields a substantial increase in purity andrequires lower imidazole concentrations for elution of the his-taggedprotein.

Another aspect of the invention relates to nucleic acids coding for themodified ApoA1 mimetic polypeptides as defined above. The nucleic acidsof the present invention can be a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or aribonucleic acid (RNA). Among DNAs, an ApoA1 complementary DNA (cDNA)(e.g. Breslow et al. (1982) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 79: 6861-6865, whoisolated and characterized cDNA clones for human ApoA1), a genomic DNA(gDNA), a hybrid sequence or a synthetic or semi-synthetic sequence maybe used. The nucleic acid may, in addition, be one which is chemicallymodified, for example for the purpose of increasing its resistance tonucleases, its cell penetration or cell targeting, its therapeuticefficacy, and the like. These nucleic acids may be of human, animal,vegetable, bacterial, viral, synthetic, and the like, origin. They maybe obtained by any technique known to a person skilled in the art, andin particular by the screening of libraries, by chemical synthesis oralternatively by mixed methods including chemical or enzymaticmodification of sequences obtained by the screening of libraries.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to nucleic acidsequences useful in facilitating expression in prokaryotic or eukaryotichost cells of polypeptides or proteins comprising at least a portion ofthe ApoA1 mimetic. For the production of recombinant ApoA1 mimeticsaccording to the invention, the nucleic acids can be incorporated in aviral or plasmid vector, which can be an autonomously replicating orintegrative vector. This vector is then used to transfect or infect achosen cell population. The transfected or infected cells therebyobtained are then cultured under conditions permitting the expression ofthe nucleic acid, and the recombinant ApoA1 mimetic according to theinvention is isolated. The cell hosts which can be used for theproduction of the variants of the invention by recombinant means areeither eukaryotic or prokaryotic hosts. Examples of eukayotic hostsinclude animal cells, yeasts, or fungi. In particular, as regard toyeasts, yeasts of the genus Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Pichia,Schwanniomyces or Hansenula can be used. As regards to animal cells,COS, CHO, CI27, NIH-3T3, and the like, cells, can be used. Among fungi,Aspergillus ssp. or Trichoderma ssp. can be used. As regards toprokaryotic hosts, for example, one may use the following bacteria: E.coli, Bacillus or Streptomyces. The variant thus isolated may then bepackaged with a view to its therapeutic use.

Therefore, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention, nucleic acids are provided coding for a polypeptide having amodified amino acid sequence of ApoA1 mimetics or fragment thereof thatis capable of promoting cholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells. Theamino acid sequence is modified by substituting at least one tryptophanof the amino acid sequence for an oxidant resistant amino acid.

If the peptide is composed entirely of gene-encoded amino acids, or aportion of it is so composed, the polypeptide or the relevant portionmay also be synthesized using conventional recombinant geneticengineering techniques. For recombinant production, a polynucleotidesequence encoding the peptide is inserted into an appropriate expressionvehicle, i.e., a vector which contains the necessary elements for thetranscription and translation of the inserted coding sequence, or in thecase of an RNA viral vector, the necessary elements for replication andtranslation. The expression vehicle is then transfected into a suitabletarget cell, which will express the peptide. Depending on the expressionsystem used, the expressed peptide is then isolated by procedureswell-established in the art. Methods for recombinant protein and peptideproduction are well known in the art (see, e.g., Sambrook et al., 1989,Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory,N.Y.; and Ausubel et al., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology,Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, N.Y. each of whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.)

To increase efficiency of production, the polynucleotide can be designedto encode multiple units of the peptide separated by enzymatic cleavagesites—either homopolymers (repeating peptide units) or heteropolymers(different peptides strung together) can be engineered in this way. Theresulting polypeptide can be cleaved (e.g., by treatment with theappropriate enzyme) in order to recover the peptide units. This canincrease the yield of peptides driven by a single promoter. In oneexample, a polycistronic polynucleotide can be designed so that a singlemRNA is transcribed, which encodes multiple peptides (i.e., homopolymersor heteropolymers) each coding region operatively linked to acap-independent translation control sequence; e.g., an internal ribosomeentry site (IRES). When used in appropriate viral expression systems,the translation of each peptide encoded by the mRNA is directedinternally in the transcript; e.g., by the IRES. Thus, the polycistronicconstruct directs the transcription of a single, large polycistronicmRNA which, in turn, directs the translation of multiple, individualpeptides. This approach eliminates the production and enzymaticprocessing of polyproteins and may significantly increase yield ofpeptide driven by a single promoter.

A variety of host-expression vector systems may be utilized to expressthe peptides described herein. These include, but are not limited to,microorganisms such as bacteria transformed with recombinantbacteriophage DNA or plasmid DNA expression vectors containing anappropriate coding sequence; yeast or filamentous fungi transformed withrecombinant yeast or fungi expression vectors containing an appropriatecoding sequence; insect cell systems infected with recombinant virusexpression vectors (e.g., baculovirus) containing an appropriate codingsequence; plant cell systems infected with recombinant virus expressionvectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus or tobacco mosaic virus) ortransformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Tiplasmid) containing an appropriate coding sequence; or animal cellsystems.

The expression elements of the expression systems vary in their strengthand specificities. Depending on the host/vector system utilized, any ofa number of transcription and translation elements, includingconstitutive and inducible promoters, may be used in the expressionvector. For example, when cloning in bacterial systems, induciblepromoters, such as pL of bacteriophage λ, plac, ptrp, ptac (ptrp-lachybrid promoter) and the like may be used; when cloning in insect cellsystems, promoters such as the baculovirus polyhedron promoter may beused; when cloning in plant cell systems, promoters derived from thegenome of plant cells (e.g., heat shock promoters; the promoter for thesmall subunit of RUBISCO; the promoter for the chlorophyll a/b bindingprotein) or from plant viruses (e.g., the 35S RNA promoter of CaMV; thecoat protein promoter of TMV) may be used; when cloning in mammaliancell systems, promoters derived from the genome of mammalian cells(e.g., metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g., theadenovirus late promoter; the vaccinia virus 7.5 K promoter) may beused; when generating cell lines that contain multiple copies ofexpression product, SV40-, BPV- and EBV-based vectors may be used withan appropriate selectable marker.

The oligonucleotides of the invention can be DNA or RNA or chimericmixtures or derivatives or modified versions thereof, single-stranded ordouble-stranded. Such oligonucleotides can be modified at the basemoiety, sugar moiety, or phosphate backbone, for example, to improvestability of the molecule, hybridization, etc. Oligonucleotides withinthe invention may additionally include other appended groups, such aspeptides (e.g., for targeting host cell receptors in vivo), or agentsfacilitating transport across the cell membrane (see, e.g., Letsinger etal. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86:6553-6556; Lemaitre et al.(1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:648-652; PCT Publication No. WO88/09810, published Dec. 15, 1988), hybridization-triggered cleavageagents. (See, e.g., Krol et al. (1988) BioTechniques 6:958-976) orintercalating agents. (See, e.g, Zon (1988) Pharm. Res. 5:539-549). Tothis end, the oligonucleotides may be conjugated to another molecule,e.g., a peptide, hybridization triggered cross-linking agent, transportagent, hybridization-triggered cleavage agent, etc.

In mammalian host cells, a number of viral based expression systems maybe utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expressionvector, a coding sequence may be ligated to an adenovirustranscription/translation control complex, e.g., the late promoter andtripartite leader sequence. This chimeric gene may then be inserted inthe adenovirus genome by in vitro or in vivo recombination. Insertion ina non-essential region of the viral genome (e.g., region E1 or E3) willresult in a recombinant virus that is viable and capable of expressingpeptide in infected hosts. (e.g., See Logan & Shenk, 1984, Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. (USA) 81:3655-3659). Alternatively, the vaccinia 7.5 Kpromoter may be used, (see, e.g., Mackett et al., 1982, Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. (USA) 79:7415-7419; Mackett et al., 1984, J. Virol.49:857-864; Panicali et al., 1982, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 79:4927-4931).

Other expression systems for producing the polypeptides of the inventionwill be apparent to those having skill in the art. According to anotheraspect of the present invention, the DNA sequences described herein,which encode modified ApoA1 polypeptides are valuable for theinformation that they provide concerning the amino acid sequence of themammalian protein which have heretofore been unavailable. Put anotherway, DNA sequences provided by the invention are useful in generatingnew and useful viral and circular plasmid DNA vectors, new and usefultransformed and transfected prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells(including bacterial and yeast cells and mammalian cells grown inculture), and new and useful methods for cultured growth of such hostcells capable of expression of modified oxidant resistant ApoA1polypeptides and its related products.

Alternatively, one may use no vector so as to facilitate relativelystable presence in the host. For example, homologous recombination mayfacilitate integration into a host genome. The nucleic acid may beplaced within a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to facilitatecellular uptake, such as a lipid solution carrier (e.g., a chargedlipid), a liposome, or polypeptide carrier (e.g., polylysine. A reviewarticle on gene therapy is Verma, Scientific American, November 1990,pages 68-84 which is herein incorporated by reference.

The desired nucleic acid may be first placed within a cell, and the cellmay be administered to a patient (such as a transplanted tissue) or thedesired nucleic acid may be administered directly to the patient foruptake in vivo. The cells to be transferred to the recipient may becultured using one or more factors affecting the growth or proliferationof such cells, as for example, SCF.

Nucleic acid molecules encoding a modified oxidant resistant ApoA1mimetic conjugate, such as a fusion protein, may also be used in theinvention. Such nucleic acids can be made by preparing a construct(e.g., an expression vector) that expresses an ApoA1 mimetic fusionprotein when introduced into a suitable host. For example, such aconstruct can be made by ligating a first polynucleotide encoding amodified oxidant resistant ApoA1 mimetic protein capable of promotingcholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells, fused in frame with a secondpolynucleotide encoding another protein such that expression of theconstruct in a suitable expression system yields a fusion protein.

ApoA1 mimetic fusion proteins can be readily prepared using molecularbiological techniques. Any fusion protein may be designed and made usingany of the therapeutic agents disclosed herein and those known in theart. The fusion protein technology is readily adapted to prepare fusionproteins in which the two portions are joined by a selectively cleavablepeptide sequence. The use of recombinant DNA techniques to achieve suchends is now standard practice to those of skill in the art. Thesemethods include, for example, in vitro recombinant DNA techniques,synthetic techniques and in vivo recombination/genetic recombination.DNA and RNA synthesis may, additionally, be performed using an automatedsynthesizer.

The preparation of such a fusion protein generally entails thepreparation of a first and second DNA coding region and the functionalligation or joining of such regions, in frame, to prepare a singlecoding region that encodes the desired fusion protein. It is notgenerally believed to be particularly relevant which portion of theconstruct is prepared as the N-terminal region or as the C-terminalregion.

The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and/orformulations and the use of such compositions in the treatment ofhyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, coronary heart disease, andatherosclerosis. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention caninclude the ApoA1 mimetic polypeptide or fragment thereof as the activeingredient and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient suitable foradministration and delivery in vivo. The pharmaceutical compositionswill generally comprise an effective amount of modified ApoA1polypeptides or fragments thereof, dissolved or dispersed in apharmaceutically acceptable carrier or aqueous medium. Combinedtherapeutics are also contemplated, and the same type of underlyingpharmaceutical compositions may be employed for both single and combinedmedicaments.

The phrases “pharmaceutically or pharmacologically acceptable” refer tomolecular entities and compositions that do not produce an adverse,allergic or other untoward reaction when administered to an animal, or ahuman, as appropriate. Veterinary uses are equally included within theinvention and “pharmaceutically acceptable” formulations includeformulations for both clinical and/or veterinary use.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any andall solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungalagents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The use ofsuch media and agents for pharmaceutical active substances is well knownin the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent isincompatible with the active ingredient, its use in the therapeuticcompositions is contemplated. For human administration, preparationsshould meet sterility, pyrogenicity, general safety and purity standardsas required by FDA Office of Biologics standards. Supplementary activeingredients can also be incorporated into the compositions.

Examples of carriers include solvents and dispersion media containing,for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propyleneglycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), mixtures thereof,and vegetable oils. In many cases, it will be preferable to includeisotonic agents, for example, sugars or sodium chloride. The properfluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating, suchas lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in thecase of dispersion and/or by the use of surfactants.

The present invention contemplates the administration of the describedpharmaceutical compositions by various routes. Pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising ApoA1 mimetic polypeptides or fragments thereofof the invention may be administered by any route that ensuresbioavailability in the circulation. These routes can include, but are byno means limited to oral administration, nasal administration, rectaladministration, intraperitoneal injection, intravascular injection,subcuntaneous injection, transcutaneous administration, inhalationadministration, and intramuscular injection.

Injectable preparations include sterile suspensions, solutions oremulsions of the active ingredient in aqueous or oily vehicles. Thecompositions may also contain formulating agents, such as suspending,stabilizing and/or dispersing agent. The formulations for injection maybe presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampules or in multidosecontainers, and may contain added preservatives.

Alternatively, the injectable formulation may be provided in powder formfor reconstitution with a vehicle, including but not limited to sterilepyrogen free water, buffer, dextrose solution, etc., before use. To thisend, the ApoA1 mimetic polypeptides of the present invention may belyophilized, or the co-lyophilized peptide-lipid complex may beprepared. The stored preparations can be supplied in unit dosage formsand reconstituted prior to use in vivo.

For prolonged delivery, the active ingredient can be formulated as adepot preparation, for administration by implantation; e.g.,subcutaneous, intradermal, or intramuscular injection. Thus, forexample, the active ingredient may be formulated with polymeric orhydrophobic materials (e.g., as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ionexchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives; e.g., as asparingly soluble salt form of the modified ApoA1 polypeptides orfragments thereof.

Alternatively, transdermal delivery systems manufactured as an adhesivedisc or patch which slowly releases the active ingredient forpercutaneous absorption may be used. To this end, permeation enhancersmay be used to facilitate transdermal penetration of the activeingredient. A particular benefit may be achieved by incorporating themodified ApoA1 polypeptides or fragments thereof of the invention or thepeptide-lipid complex into a nitroglycerin patch for use in patientswith ischemic heart disease and hypercholesterolemia.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions may take theform of, for example, tablets or capsules prepared by conventional meanswith pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, such as binding agents(e.g., pregelatinised maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone orhydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose, microcrystallinecellulose or calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants (e.g., magnesiumstearate, talc or silica); disintegrants (e.g., potato starch or sodiumstarch glycolate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate). Thetablets may be coated by methods well known in the art. Liquidpreparations for oral administration may take the form of, for example,solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they may be presented as a dryproduct for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle beforeuse. Such liquid preparations may be prepared by conventional means withpharmaceutically acceptable additives, such as suspending agents (e.g.,sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives or hydrogenated edible fats);emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or acacia); non-aqueous vehicles(e.g., almond oil, oily esters, ethyl alcohol or fractionated vegetableoils); and preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates orsorbic acid). The preparations may also contain buffer salts, flavoring,coloring and sweetening agents as appropriate. Preparations for oraladministration may be suitably formulated to give controlled release ofthe active compound.

For buccal administration, the compositions may take the form of tabletsor lozenges formulated in conventional manner. For rectal and vaginalroutes of administration, the active ingredient may be formulated assolutions (for retention enemas) suppositories or ointments.

For administration by inhalation, the active ingredient can beconveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation frompressurized packs or a nebulizer, with the use of a propellant, e.g.,dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane,dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other gas. In the case of apressurized aerosol, the dosage unit may be determined by providing avalve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of e.g.gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulatedcontaining a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base suchas lactose or starch.

The compositions may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenserdevice, which may contain one or more unit dosage forms containing theactive ingredient. The pack may for example comprise metal or plasticfoil, such as a blister pack. The pack or dispenser device may beaccompanied by instructions for administration.

“Unit dosage” formulations are those containing a dose or sub-dose ofthe administered ingredient adapted for a particular timed delivery. Forexample, exemplary “unit dosage” formulations are those containing adaily dose or unit or daily sub-dose or a weekly dose or unit or weeklysub-dose and the like.

Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, all such preparationsshould contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.The prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about byvarious antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens,chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. Prolongedabsorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by theuse in the compositions of agents delaying absorption, for example,aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Prior to or upon formulation, the modified ApoA1 polypeptides orfragments thereof should be extensively dialyzed to remove undesiredsmall molecular weight molecules, and/or lyophilized for more readyformulation into a desired vehicle, where appropriate. Sterileinjectable solutions are prepared by incorporating the active agents inthe required amount in the appropriate solvent with various of the otheringredients enumerated above, as desired, followed by filteredsterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared by incorporating thevarious sterilized active ingredients into a sterile vehicle thatcontains the basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredientsfrom those enumerated above.

In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectablesolutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum-drying andfreeze-drying techniques that yield a powder of the active ingredient,plus any additional desired ingredient from a previouslysterile-filtered solution thereof.

Pharmaceutical “slow release” capsules or “sustained release”compositions or preparations may be used and are generally applicable.Slow release formulations are generally designed to give a constant druglevel over an extended period and may be used to deliver ApoA1 mimeticpolypeptides or fragments thereof in accordance with the presentinvention.

In certain embodiments, liposomes and/or nanoparticles may also beemployed with the ApoA1 mimetic polypeptides or fragments thereof. Theformation and use of liposomes is generally known to those of skill inthe art, as summarized below. Liposomes are formed from phospholipidsthat are dispersed in an aqueous medium and spontaneously formmultilamellar concentric bilayer vesicles (also termed multilamellarvesicles (MLVs). MLVs generally have diameters of from 25 nm to 4 μm.Sonication of MLVs results in the formation of small unilamellarvesicles (SUVs) with diameters in the range of 200 to 500 Å, containingan aqueous solution in the core. ApoA1 mimetic polypeptides of fragmentsthereof can also formulated be into phospholipid discs of between 8 and20 nm, through spontaneous reaction with phospholipid liposomes, orthrough the cholate dialysis procedure.

Nanocapsules can generally entrap compounds in a stable and reproducibleway. To avoid side effects due to intracellular polymeric overloading,such ultrafine particles (sized around 0.1 μm) should be designed usingpolymers able to be degraded in vivo. Biodegradablepolyalkyl-cyanoacrylate nanoparticles that meet these requirements arecontemplated for use in the present invention, and such particles may beare easily made.

Additional pharmacologically active agents may be delivered along withthe primary active agents, e.g., the peptides of this invention.Therapies may include, but are not limited to simultaneous or sequentialadministration of the drugs involved. In one embodiment, such agentsinclude, but are not limited to agents that reduce the risk ofatherosclerotic events and/or complications thereof. Such agentsinclude, but are not limited to beta blockers, beta blockers andthiazide diuretic combinations, statins, aspirin, ace inhibitors, acereceptor inhibitors (ARBs), and the like.

Examples of beta blockers include, but are not limited tocardioselective (selective beta 1 blockers), e.g., acebutolol (Sectral),atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta),metoprolol (Lopressor), and the like. Examples of non-selective blockers(block beta 1 and beta 2 equally) include, but are not limited tocarteolol (Cartrol), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol(Visken), propranolol (Inderal), timolol (Blockadren), labetalol(Normodyne, Trandate), and the like.

Examples of beta blocker thiazide diuretic combinations include, but arenot limited to Lopressor HCT, ZIAC, Tenoretic, Corzide, Timolide,Inderal LA 40/25, Inderide, Normozide, and the like.

Examples statins include, but are not limited to pravastatin(Pravachol/Bristol-Myers Squibb), simvastatin (Zocor/Merck), lovastatin(Mevacor/Merck), Lipitor (Pfizer), and the like.

Examples of ace inhibitors include, but are not limited to captopril(e.g. Capoten by Squibb), benazepril (e.g., Lotensin by Novartis),enalapril (e.g., Vasotec by Merck), fosinopril (e.g., Monopril byBristol-Myers), lisinopril (e.g. Prinivil by Merck or Zestril byAstra-Zeneca), quinapril (e.g., Accupril by Parke-Davis), ramipril(e.g., Altace by Hoechst Marion Roussel, King Pharmaceuticals),imidapril, perindopril erbumine (e.g., Aceon by Rhone-Polenc Rorer),trandolapril (e.g., Mavik by Knoll Pharmaceutical), and the like.Suitable ARBS (Ace Receptor Blockers) include but are not limited tolosartan (e.g. Cozaar by Merck), irbesartan (e.g., Avapro by Sanofi),candesartan (e.g., Atacand by Astra Merck), valsartan (e.g., Diovan byNovartis), and the like.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of treatingcardiovascular disorders. “Cardiovascular disorder” as used hereinrefers to the class of disorders that involve the heart or blood vessels(arteries and veins). “Cardiovascular disorder” further refers to anydisease that affects the cardiovascular system, it can be used to referto those related to atherosclerosis (arterial disease). Cardiovasculardisorders can include, but are not limited to Aneurysms, Angina,Arrhythmia, Atherosclerosis, Cardiomyopathy, Cerebrovascular Disease,Congenital Heart Disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Myocarditis, ValveDisease, Coronary Artery Disease, Dilated cardiomyopathy, DiastolicDysfunction, Endocarditis, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension),Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Mitral valve prolapse, Heart Attack,Vascular Stenosis and Venous Thromboembolism.

“Arteriosclerosis” as used herein refers to any hardening (and loss ofelasticity) of medium or large arteries (in Greek, “Arterio” meaningartery and “sclerosis” meaning hardening), arteriolosclerosis isatherosclerosis mainly affecting the arterioles (small arteries).“Atherosclerosis” as used herein refers to a hardening of an arteryspecifically due to an atheromatous plaque. Therefore, atherosclerosisis a form of arteriosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatoryresponse in the walls of arteries, in large part due to the depositionof lipoproteins (plasma proteins that carry cholesterol andtriglycerides). It is commonly referred to as a “hardening” or “furring”of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of multiple plaqueswithin the arteries.

The method described herein includes the step of administering to asubject a therapeutically effective or biologically effective amount ofa pharmaceutical composition including an ApoA1 mimetic or fragmentthereof that is capable of promoting cholesterol efflux from lipidloaded cells. The ApoA1 mimetic or a fragment amino acid sequence can bemodified as described above by substituting at least one tryptophan ofthe amino acid sequence with an oxidant resistant amino acid.

“Biologically effective amounts” or “therapeutically effective amounts”in terms of each of the foregoing therapeutic methods are thereforeamounts of the at least one modified ApoA1 polypeptide or a fragmentthereof effective to exert an anti-inflammatory effect, promotion ofcellular cholesterol efflux, or amelioration of symptoms ofcardiovascular disease.

“Administration”, as used herein, means provision or delivery of acomposition including at least one ApoA1 mimetic polypeptide or afragment thereof in an amount(s) and for a period of time(s) effectiveto exert an anti-inflammatory effect, promotion of cellular cholesterolefflux, or amelioration of symptoms of cardiovascular disease. Thepassive administration of proteinaceous therapeutics is generallypreferred, in part, for its simplicity and reproducibility.

Due to the oxidation resistant properties of the polypeptides of thepresent invention, the ApoA1 mimetic polypeptides and fragments thereofdescribed herein can also be used in a method of promoting cholesterolefflux from a cell to the liver. The method includes the step ofadministering to the cell a biologically effective amount of purifiedpolypeptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a portion ofSEQ ID NO:1, wherein X is selected from the group consisting oftryptophan or phenylalanine and at least one X is phenylalanine.

The present invention further relates to a method of ameliorating one ormore symptoms of an inflammatory condition in a subject. The term“ameliorating” when used with respect to “ameliorating one or moresymptoms of an inflammatory condition” refers to a reduction,prevention, or elimination of one or more symptoms characteristic of aninflammatory condition and/or associated pathologies. Such a reductionincludes, but is not limited to a decrease in inflammatory proteinbiosynthesis, reduction in plasma cholesterol, and the like. The methodincludes the step of administering to the subject a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising an ApoA1 mimetic or fragment thereof. Thetreatment of both chronic and acute inflammatory conditions arecontemplated by the present invention.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method ofpromoting wound healing and/or treating or ameliorating endothelialinjury, e.g., arterial endothelial cell injury, which can occur aftervascular injury (e.g., balloon angioplasty). The method can include thestep of administering to the subject a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising an ApoA1 mimetic or fragment thereof to the subject. TheApoA1 mimetic or fragment thereof can be administered in an amounteffective to promote endothelial cell migration and treat theendothelial cell injury.

The therapeutic methods and uses of the invention also extend to theprovision of nucleic acids that encode at least one therapeuticincluding ApoA1 mimetic polypeptide(s) or a fragment(s) thereof in amanner effective to result in their expression in the vicinity of thetargeted symptom, condition, or disease. Any gene therapy technique maybe employed, such as naked DNA delivery, recombinant genes and vectors,cell-based delivery, including ex vivo manipulation of patients' cells,and the like.

It will also be understood that even in such circumstances where thedose, or combined therapy of ApoA1 polypeptides or fragments thereof,are towards the low end of the intended therapeutic range, it may bethat this therapy is still equally or even more effective than all otherknown therapies in the context of the particular disorder or patient. Itis unfortunately evident to a clinician that certain disorders andconditions cannot be effectively treated in the intermediate or longterm, but that does not negate the usefulness of the present therapy,particularly where it is at least about as effective as the otherstrategies generally proposed.

The intention of the therapeutic regimens of the present invention isgenerally to produce significant anti-inflammatory effects orcholesterol efflux promotion, while still keeping the dose below thelevels associated with unacceptable toxicity. In addition to varying thedose itself, the administration regimen can also be adapted to optimizethe treatment strategy.

The active agents, of this invention are also useful in a number ofcontexts. For example, it has been observed that cardiovasculardisorders (e.g., atherosclerosis, stroke, etc.) frequently accompany orfollow the onset of an acute phase inflammatory response, e.g., such asthat associated with a recurrent inflammatory disease, a viral infection(e.g., influenza), a bacterial infection, a fungal infection, an organtransplant, a wound or other trauma, and so forth.

Thus, in certain embodiments, this invention contemplates administeringone or more of the active agents described herein to a subject at riskfor, or incurring, an acute inflammatory response and/or at risk for orincurring a symptom of atherosclerosis and/or an associated pathology(e.g., stroke).

Thus, for example, a person having or at risk for coronary disease mayprophylactically be administered one or more pharmaceutical compositionsof this invention during flu season. A person (or animal) subject to arecurrent inflammatory condition, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, variousautoimmune diseases, etc., can be treated with a one or more agentsdescribed herein to mitigate or prevent the development ofatherosclerosis or stroke. A person (or animal) subject to trauma, e.g.,acute injury, tissue transplant, etc. can be treated with a polypeptideof this invention to mitigate the development of atherosclerosis orstroke. In another specific example, a subject could be treated throughi.v. injections post myocardial infarction to reduce the plaque size andstabilize the plaque to prevent rupture or erosion.

The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodimentsof the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the artthat the techniques disclosed in the examples which follow representtechniques discovered by the inventor to function well in the practiceof the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferredmodes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, inlight of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can bemade in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain alike or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

EXAMPLES

In the following examples, we sought to determine the effects ofmodifying lysine, methionine, and tryptophan, which are MPO sensitiveresidues in ApoA1. It was found that replacement of the four ApoA1tryptophan residues with leucines leads to loss of function, while thereplacement of tryptophan with phenylalanine not only preserves ApoA1function, but renders it resistant to oxidative inactivation by MPO.

Methods

Mass Spectrometry

Human atheroma derived ApoA1 was isolated by immunoaffinitychromatography as previously described. ApoA1 was eluted in glycinebuffer (pH 2.5) and subjected directly to trypsin digestion or firstseparated by SDS-PAGE and subjected to in gel trypsin digestion. Massspectrometry was performed and collision-induced dissociation (CID)spectra were obtained, as previously described. Chlorotyrosine and2-amino adipic acid analysis were performed after acid hydrolysis withheavy isotope internal standards as previously described using duplicateassays of ApoA1 from human atheroma or from plasma of healthy volunteersisolated by immunoaffinity chromatography.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis and Recombinant ApoA1 Production

Point mutations to tryptophan (8,50,72,108) and methionine (86,112,148)residues were made using QuickChange Mutagenesis Kit from Stratagene andconfirmed by DNA sequencing. Plasmids were transformed into Escherichiacoli strain BL21 (DE-3) pLysS ,1 nJ ApoA1 expression and purificationwas performed as described previously. rh-ApoA 1 was extensivelydialyzed against PBS or MPO reaction buffer (60 mmol/L sodium phosphate,100 mmol/L sodium chloride, 100 μmol/L diethylenetriamine pentaaceticacid, pH 7.0) to remove any trace of imidazole, analyzed by SDS-PAGE,and found to be >95% pure. Because Trp and Met substitution alters theprotein OD₂₈₀ and reactivity to the BCA or Lowry protein assays, proteinconcentrations were determined based on free amines using theo-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) assay, with a human plasma-derived ApoA1(Biodesign) standard, as previously described. Cleavage of the initialMet and His tag of rh-ApoA 1 was performed by formic acid treatment,followed by fast protein liquid (FPLC) purification.

ApoA1 Lysine Modifications

Human plasma-derived ApoA1 was dialyzed against PBS and dilluted to 0.5mg/mL. Lysine reductive methylation was performed as previouslydescribed. Extent of lysine modification was determined by the OPAassay. ApoA1 was then dialyzed against MPO reaction buffer, and theprotein concentration of lysine-modified ApoA1 was determined using theBCA reagent.

ApoA1 MPO and Hypochlorous Acid Modifications

MPO at a final concentration of 57 nmol/L, prepared as previouslydescribed, was added to ApoA1 at 100 μg/mL (3.5 μmol/L) that had beenextensively dialyzed against MPO reaction buffer. The reaction wasinitiated by adding hydrogen peroxide at varying mole ratios to ApoA1 in4 aliquots at 15-minute intervals at 37° C., and continuing theincubation for 90 minutes, at which time 2 mmol/L L-methionine was addedto quench the reaction. For chemical modification of ApoA1, sodiumhypochlorite (NaOCI) was added to 100 μg/mL ApoA1 in MPO buffer atvarying concentrations in 4 aliquots at 15 minutes intervals at 37° C.After a total incubation time of 60 minutes, 2 mmol/L L-metbionine wasadded to quench the reaction.

ABCA I-Dependent Cholesterol Efflux Assay

RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells were labeled with [3H] cholesterol andtreated with 0.3 mmol/L 8Br-cAMP to induce ABCA1 activity, as previouslydescribed. The cells were washed and chased for 4 hours in serum•freemedium in the presence of 0.3 mmol/L 8Br-cAMP and the presence orabsence of various ApoA1 preparations. The radioactivity in the chasemedia was determined after brief centrifugation to pellet debris.Radioactivity in the cells was determined by extraction inhexane:isopropanol (3:2) with the solvent evaporated in a scintillationvial prior to counting. The percent cholesterol efflux was calculated as100×(medium dpm)/(medium dpm+cell dpm).

Lipid Binding Activity Assay

Lipid binding activity of ApoA1 was assessed via the inhibition ofphospholipase C (PLC)-mediated aggregation of human low densitylipoprotein, performed as previously described. We have previously shownthat this assay give results similar to those observed by the DMPCdispersion clearance assay, but it is more sensitive and requires lessApoA1. The final concentration of apoA1 used in this assay as 12.5μg/mL. which was sufficient to decrease the initial rate LDL aggregationby≈75%.

Detection of ApoA1 Cross Links

250 ng of ApoA1 per lane was denatured in an SDS sample buffer, run on a10% Tris glycine gel in the presence of SDS, and the protein wastransferred to a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane. The membranewas probed sequentially with goat anti-human ApoA1 primary antibody(1:1,000 dilution. DiaSorin) and rabbit antigoat HRP conjugated antibody(1:1,000 dilution), and ApoA1 was visualized with an enhancedchemiluminescent substrate.

Results

ApoA1 Modifications in Human Atheroma

We determined whether ApoA1 isolated from human atheroma cells includedmodified tryptophan, methionine, and lysine residues Using tandem massspectrometry, we were able to detect monohydroxytryptophan residues atall four tryptophan positions, 8, 50, 72, and 108, anddihydroxytryptophan at position 108 within apoA1 (FIGS. 1A-F). Wepreviously identified mono- and di-hydroxytrytophan at residue W72 in invitro MPO modified apoA1 (Peng, D. Q., Wu, Z., Brubaker, G., Zheng, L.,Settle, M., Gross, E., Kinter, M., Hazen, S. L. and Smith, J. D. (2005)J Biol Chem 280, 33775-33784). In addition we detected methioninesulfoxide at residues 48 and 112 (FIG. 1D, E). To look for lysinemodification by MPO-generated HOCl we used stable isotope dilution HPLCwith online tandem mass spectrometry to quantify 2-aminoadipic acid, anend product of lysine oxidation by the MPO generated oxidant.2-Aminoadipic acid levels were low but detectable in ApoA1 isolated fromthe plasma of six healthy volunteers, while the mean levels werestrikingly elevated ˜16-fold in ApoA1 isolated from six human atheromasamples (FIG. 2, p=0.005 by a two-tailed t-test). Thus, tryptophan,methionine, and lysine oxidation of ApoA1 occur physiologically withinhuman atheroma. We therefore sought to determine which of thesemodifications was responsible for yielding dysfunctional ApoA1 with adiminished capacity to accept cellular cholesterol.

ApoA1 Lysine Modification

In the amphipathic structure of ApoA1, the 21 lysine residuesoverwhelming reside on both sides of and adjacent to the hydrophobicface. Lysine modification by MPO is an attractive candidate to beresponsible for MPO induced loss of ApoA1 function as we previouslydemonstrated that ApoA1 lysine residues can undergo modification by MPO,and that extensive chemical modification of ApoA1 lysine residues thatalter its positive charge led to loss of ApoA1 cholesterol acceptoractivity. However, we also found that lysine modification by reductivemethylation, which retains the lysine positive charge, led to onlymodest reductions of ApoA1 function. ApoA1 was subjected to reductivemethylation, leading to 92% lysine modification, or control incubationand dialyzed extensively against MPO reaction buffer. Modificationreactions were performed using catalytic amounts of MPO and increasingmolar ratios of H₂O₂:ApoA1. The reaction products were assayed forcholesterol acceptor activity using cholesterol labeled RAW264macrophages that had been pretreated with a cAMP analogue to induceABCA1. In the absence of H₂O₂ in the modification reaction, themethylated and non-methylated control ApoA1 had robust and equivalentABCA1-dependent cholesterol acceptor activity. With increasing doses ofH₂O₂, the cholesterol acceptor activity of both the methylated andcontrol ApoA1 samples declined in a similar fashion (FIG. 3). Inaddition, the alpha helix content of these preparations was estimated byCD, and both methylated and control ApoA1 preparations were similarlysusceptible to the MPO/H₂O₂ dose dependent reduction in alpha helixcontent. Since reductive methylation of lysine's primary amine into atertiary amine decreases its chemical reactivity but did not lead toprotection of ApoA1's function, ApoA1 lysine modification by MPO isunlikely to be responsible for ApoA1's loss of function.

Methionine Modification does not Protect Against MPO Induced Loss ofApoA1 Function.

We then turned our attention to the three ApoA1 methionine residues,which were previously implicated in the MPO induced loss of ApoA1function. In order to substitute valine for all three methionines, weused recombinant human ApoA1 (rh-ApoA1), which adds an additionalmethionine initiation codon and a 6-his tag to the N-terminus. We hadpreviously demonstrated that rh-ApoA1 behaves similar to plasma derivedApoA1 in its cholesterol activity in its cholesterol acceptor activity,lipid binding activity, and its susceptibility to MPO mediated loss offunction. Using site directed mutagenesis, we created an ApoA1expression construction encoding a protein with the three internalmethionines converted to valines, which we refer to as rh-ApoA1 3MV (3methionine to valine). One cannot substitute for the initiatingmethionine. However, this methionine and the his tag can be chemicallycleaved by formic acid incubation, as previously described (Ryan, R. 0.,Forte, T. M., and Oda, M. N. (2003) Protein Expr. Purif. 27, 98-103),due to the substitution of glutamate at position 2 with an aspartate,yielding a unique formic acid sensitive Asp-Pro dipeptide adjacent tothe his tag. We determined that the rh-ApoA1 3MV, regardless of whetherthe initiating Met and His tag were intact or removed, had similarABCA1-dependent cholesterol acceptor activity compared to wild typerh-ApoA1. In addition, the rh-ApoA1 3MV, with or without the N-terminalmethionine, and wild type rh-ApoA1 were equally susceptible to a highdose (H2O2: apoA1=15:1) MPO mediated loss of cholesterol acceptoractivity (FIG. 4A). MPO modifications of rh-ApoA1 and the 3MV variantwere performed at varying and modest molar ratios of H₂O₂:ApoA1, and the3MV variant was more sensitive to loss of cholesterol acceptor activityat low molar ratios (FIG. 4B). For example, at an H₂O₂:ApoA1 ratio of1.4, wild type ApoA1 had a negligible loss of cholesterol acceptoractivity, while the 3MV variant lost about half of its cholesterolacceptor activity. Thus, we found that the three methionine residues inApoA1, instead of playing a role in oxidative impairment of ApoA1function, actually play a protective role by harmlessly absorbingoxidants.

ApoA1 Tryptophan Residues Play a Role in ApoA1 Function.

We examined the role of ApoA1 tryptophan residues next by altering eachof the four tryptophan residues to either leucine (rh-ApoA1 4WL) orphenylalanine (rh-ApoA1 4WF). The aromatic nature of the tryptophanresidues seemed to be crucial for ApoA1's cholesterol acceptor activity,as the 4WL variant lost the majority of this activity in cholesterolefflux studies carried out over a wide range of ApoA1 doses, while the4WF variant retained this activity (FIG. 5A). We examined the predictedalpha helix content of these proteins by CD using the K2d algorithm, andfound that the wild type protein had 57% alpha helix, while he 4WL and4WF variants both had increased alpha helix contents of 79% and 77%,respectively. Thus, the loss of efflux and lipid binding activity of the4WL variant cannot be attributed to loss of helical content.

Both rh-ApoA1 and the 4WF variant were subjected to the MPO/CL⁻/H₂O₂oxidation system at increasing doses of H₂O₂. FIG. 5B shows the resultof a study representative of 4 different experiments using twoindependent preparations of each protein. As previously observed, theABCA1-dependent cholesterol acceptor activity of wild type ApoA1 wasinhibited by increasing MPO induced oxidation; however, the 4WF variantmaintained this activity even at an H₂O₂:ApoA 1 ratio of 15.

The MPO/Cl⁻/H₂O₂ oxidation system generates HOCl, the active reagent ofbleach, and we and others have previously demonstrated that HOCltreatment of ApoA1 results in loss of cholesterol acceptor and lipidbinding activity. Thus, we subjected wild type ApoA1 and the 4WF variantto increasing doses of HOCl. Similar to the findings with the MPOmodification system, the cholesterol acceptor activity of the 4WFvariant was resistant to this treatment while the efflux activity ofwild type rh-ApoA1 was impaired by increasing doses of HOCl (FIG. 6).

The lipid binding activity of rh-ApoA1 and the 4WF variant were assessedby a DMPC emulsion clearance assay, and both proteins showed equivalentactivity (FIG. 7A). The cell free lipid binding activity of rh-ApoA1 4WFwas also resistant to MPO mediated inhibition, compared to rh-ApoA 1(FIG. 4B) using a PLC mediated LDL aggregation assay (FIG. 7B).

MPO modification of ApoA1 leads to extensive cross linking resulting indimers, multimers, and presumably intramolecular cross links as well. Wepreviously have shown that the MPO mediated ApoA1 cross linking patternwas not altered in the variant with all 7 tyrosine residues converted tophenylalanine. Upon subjecting rh-ApoA1 and the 4WF variant toMPO/Cl⁻/H₂O₂ oxidation at increasing doses of H₂O₂ (using the identicalprotein products that were used for efflux in FIG. 5B), we observedaltered migration of both proteins in denaturing gels consistent withintermolecular cross-linking. However, the migration patterns weredifferent, with the 4WF variant giving a sharp predominant band at about70 kD, while the wild type protein yielded a less distinct predominantzone between 55 and 65 kD (FIG. 8). The migration of the monomer wasaltered for both proteins, which could be indicative of intramolecularcross-links or amino acid modifications. Although the 4WF variant isresistant to MPO mediated loss of cholesterol acceptor activity, thisvariant was more susceptible to MPO induced cross-linking, particularlyat low doses of H₂O₂. We also subjected these modified proteins tostructural analysis by CD, and found that both were susceptible to lossof alpha helical content, although the 4WF variant started with a highervalue.

We also prepared rHDL by cholate dialysis using POCP and the wild typeor 4WF ApoA1. Both yielded a similar pattern of rHDL discs estimated bynon-denaturing gels at ˜9.8, 12, and 17 nm, without any lipid free ApoA1remaining (FIG. 9). We tested the wild type and 4WF rHDL, and both wereequally competent to mediate ABCA1-independent cholesterol efflux fromRAW264.7 cells (FIG. 10), without ABCA1 dependent acceptor activity, asexpected for fully lipidated ApoA1.

We synthesized the previously described helical amphipathic peptide p18,which contains a tryptophan residue at position 2. We also synthesizedanalogues replacing the tryptophan with phenylalanine (P18 WF) orleucine (P18 LF). We demonstrated that this tryptophan-free peptideshave dose dependent ABCA1-mediated cholesterol acceptor activity (FIG.11).

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the artwill perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Suchimprovements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art areintended to be covered by the appended claims. All references,publications, and patents cited in the present application are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

We claim:
 1. A method of ameliorating one or more symptoms of aninflammatory condition in a subject comprising: administering to thesubject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide that iscapable of promoting cholesterol efflux from lipid loaded cells, thepolypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ED NO:1, inwhich each X in SEQ ID NO:1 is a phenylalanine amino acid.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the inflammatory condition is a recurrentinflammatory condition.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the recurrentinflammatory condition is an autoimmune disease.
 4. The method of claim3, wherein the autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis.
 5. The methodof claim 1, comprising the step of administering a statin to thesubject.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide is resistantto at least one of oxidation by myeloperoxidase (MPO), oxidation bynitrogen dioxide, oxidation by peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻), oxidation byperoxycarboxynitrite (ONOCO₂ ⁻), or oxidation by a product formed whenONOO⁻ acts in presence of CO₂ or HCO₃ ⁻ in buffer.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the polypeptide is a purified polypeptide.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide is a recombinant polypeptide.9. The method of claim 8, wherein the recombinant polypeptide isproduced in bacteria, yeast, plant, insect, avian, or mammalian cells.10. A method of ameliorating one or more symptoms of an inflammatorycondition in a subject, the method comprising the step of administeringa therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient,wherein the polypeptide consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ IDNO:1, in which each X in SEQ ID NO:1 is a phenylalanine amino acid. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein the polypeptide is a purifiedpolypeptide.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the pharmaceuticalcomposition is formulated for administration to the subject by a routeselected from the group consisting of oral administration, nasaladministration, rectal administration, intraperitoneal injection,intravascular injection, subcutaneous injection, transcutaneousadministration, inhalation administration, and intramuscular injection.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pharmaceutical composition isformulated as a unit dosage formulation.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intravascularadministration.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the pharmaceuticalcomposition comprises a powdered form of the polypeptide and a vehicle.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle comprises sterilepyrogen free water, butter, or dextrose solution.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the powdered form of the polypeptide compriseslyophilized powdered polypeptide.
 18. The method of claim 15, whereinthe pharmaceutical composition is formulated for intravascularadministration, subcutaneous injection, transcutaneous administration,or intramuscular injection.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thepharmaceutical composition comprises polymeric, hydrophobic materials,or ion exchange resins.
 20. The method of claim 10, wherein theinflammatory condition is a recurrent inflammatory condition.
 21. Themethod of claim 20, wherein the recurrent inflammatory condition is anautoimmune disease.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the autoimmunedisease is rheumatoid arthritis.
 23. The method of claim 10, wherein themethod further comprises administering a statin.
 24. The method of claim23, wherein the statin is: pravastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin, oratorvastatin calcium.